asked the Minister for Agriculture the action, if any, he proposes to take to help ensure that there is less dependence on the hay crop for winter feed of stock.
Written Answers. - Winter Fodder.
104.
There has been a considerable increase in recent years in the use of silage as a source of winter fodder. Further improvements in the quantity and quality of silage made are possible and desirable. ACOT will continue to advise farmers in their advisory and educational programmes on the advantages of adequate supplies of quality silage. Due to the severe weather this year the conservation of winter fodder was a matter of great concern. As a consequence in early August I introduced a nitrogen fertilizer subsidy to encourage late grass growth for silage production. A subsidy was also introduced this year for farmers who made silage for the first time.